BBC: Trump Announces Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire, Israel Caught Off Guard

JERUSALEM (CNA) – U.S. President Donald Trump today announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. The BBC revealed that this caught Israel off guard, with even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet members reportedly surprised. A respected Israeli news outlet reported tonight that Netanyahu only gave five minutes' notice to convene a security cabinet meeting shortly before the ceasefire announcement. Leaked information from the meeting indicated that cabinet members did not vote on the ceasefire. For many, this is another example of Netanyahu bowing to Trump's pressure. Former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot stated: 'A ceasefire must be based on strength to serve Israel's national interests. A pattern has emerged where ceasefires are imposed on us, whether in the Gaza Strip, Iran, or now Lebanon. Netanyahu does not know how to translate military achievements into diplomatic results.' Netanyahu, on one hand, described this ceasefire as 'an opportunity to forge a historic peace agreement with Lebanon,' while on the other hand, he indicated that he made almost no practical concessions. He stated that Hezbollah insisted on two conditions: the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, and the principle of 'calm for calm.' He said: 'I agreed to neither the former nor the latter. These two conditions were not accepted. We will remain in an enhanced security zone in Lebanon... We are there, and we will not leave.' A Channel 12 news poll last week showed that nearly 80% of respondents supported continued action against Hezbollah. Three other surveys showed that most Israelis also opposed Trump's two-week ceasefire with Iran. The BBC reported that few Israelis would see this ceasefire as a way out of the conflict with Hezbollah. But many believe it is further proof that Netanyahu is yielding to pressure from Washington. However, a POLITICO analysis pointed out that this Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announcement shows Trump's eagerness to negotiate an end to the Iran war. The report quoted a senior Gulf region official familiar with the negotiations as saying: 'I think he will accept more compromises because he is very keen to end this conflict. Trump is serious about negotiations and eager to end the war, but so far, Iran has refused to provide the conditions he needs to save face and withdraw.' Finnish President Alex Stubb said at an event in Washington earlier this week: 'Iran now holds many cards, and that is probably the reality.' But many world leaders and analysts still doubt that an agreement can be reached quickly between the U.S. and Iran, especially compared to the 2015 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action' (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. That agreement was reached after two years of negotiations between Iran and the U.S., Russia, China, UK, France, Germany, and the EU, not including years of prior discussions, negotiations, sanctions, and preliminary agreements. (Compilers: Lu Ying-tzu, Chen Yi-wei) 1150417